Holmes later sought to distance himself from the Mail article, tweeting that he had not contacted them to write the piece.

The BBC responded to the outrage stating that “while the government’s new charter for the BBC does set us diversity targets, we always hire presenters on merit.”

“We’d like to thank Jon Holmes for his contribution but our comedy shows are constantly evolving and it was simply time to create opportunities for new regulars when The Now Show returns this autumn,” the BBC said in a statement. “Jon’s contract was lapsed and wasn’t renewed and this was a creative not a diversity decision.”

Holmes had been employed on the show as a writer and performer since 1997. He has won two Baftas, eight Sony awards and two British Comedy awards.

In April the BBC announced new diversity targets to ensure women will make up 50 percent of staff and minorities fifteen percent by 2020. LGBTQI representation is aimed to be eight percent.

While many on social media agreed with Holmes, many others mocked the host due to his white male privilege.

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